Frosty on the East Peak of Borestone Mountain
On February 19th, Frosty and I hiked up Borestone Mountain. It was a sunshiny winter day. We had a fabulous hike that challenged us. We both thoroughly enjoyed this hike.
Frosty on the Base Trail
We wore our snowshoes for this adventure. We took the Base Trail up to where it meets the access road. Then we followed the road to the Visitors Center, which is closed in the winter. We hiked the summit trail up to the West and then the East Peaks. We did not have to break any trail today. The trail was very well trodden.
View of Sunset Pond
Although well-worn, the trail did get challenging on a very narrow ledge a bit below the first iron railing continuing up through the last rock scramble below the West Peak. I think this part of the trail would have been easier for us, if we had worn micro-cleats. In this section, the trail was narrow, uneven, and steep. So, I kept stepping on my opposite snowshoe and pinning it down. This made it a bit hard to climb. And on the descent, I had to deal with dangling snowshoes as I tried to extend my legs down over drops. I used my new to me ice axe for the first time on this trip. All of this though, was doable even for middle-aged seasoned adults like us. I felt a sense of accomplishment after this hike because of this section. I try to savor the everyday joys.
On the West Peak Looking toward the East Peak
The views atop Borestone are incredible and are even more so in the winter. The sun made the snow look spectacular today. It was one of those days when the snow appears to be strewn with sparkling diamonds.
Magoo on the East Peak of Borestone Mountain
On our trip down, we stopped at the picnic table at the pond for a snack. We took the access road down the entire way. We had strapped sleds to our packs. In certain places as we went down the road, we used the sleds. The trail was packed down and well-defined. It resembled the alpine slides at Attitash Mountain. It was easy to stay in the track. I laughed continuously each time I used my sled. It was so much fun!
Heading Back toward the West Peak of Borestone Mountain
I Love Seeing the Trees like This!
Winter adventures always seem to involve playing the layers game. As the temperature, wind, sun, and activity levels change layers need to be added and removed. So we try to be prepared with our clothing. You don’t want to get too hot and sweaty, but you don’t want to get chilled either.
Gear Used:
Frosty:
One Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Pole, One Black Diamond Whippet, Limmers, LL Bean Sonic Slider Sled, LL Bean gaiters, Darn Tough Socks, LL Bean Mittens, My Trail Co Backpack Light 50L, Black Diamond Raven Ice Axe With Grip, LL Bean windbreaker, 1/4 zip wool shirt, Buff merino wool neckwear, Buff ThermoNet hat, Johnson Woolen Mill Worsted Wool Pants, and Aloha Eyewear Stone Creek MX1 Men’s Wraparound Bi-focal Sunglasses
Magoo:
Stormy Kromer Ida Outfitter Vest, Buff merino wool neckwear, LL Bean hat, Apana running mittens, Darn Tough socks, LL Bean AT 38 Day Pack backpack (the link is the updated version of Magoo’s pack), merino wool leggings, LL Bean Sonic Slider Sled, Layer 8 wind pants, Cabela’s Women’s Ultimate Lightweight Merino shirt, Grivel Futura Ice Axe, Kodenor trekking poles, LL Bean Fleece coat, Kamik Greenbay 4 Boots, ancient windbreaker, LL Bean US ski team headband, OR gaiters, and Women’s LL Bean Packaway Mittens
